Abstract: A method for inspecting the product of a coating process is provided. In certain embodiments, the release of at least one volatile species from the coated surface into the gas space adjacent to the coated surface is measured and the result is compared with the result for at least one reference object measured under the same test conditions. Microbalance weighing methods are also disclosed to detect and distinguish among PECVD coatings. Thus the presence or absence of the coating, and/or a physical and/or chemical property of the coating can be determined. The method is useful for inspecting any coated articles, e.g. vessels. Its application on the inspection of PECVD coatings made from organosilicon precursors, especially of barrier coatings, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for providing a passivation layer or pH protective coating on a substrate surface by PECVD is provided, the method comprising generating a plasma from a gaseous reactant comprising polymerizing gases. The lubricity, passivation, pH protective, hydrophobicity, and/or barrier properties of the passivation layer or pH protective coating are set by setting the ratio of the O2 to the organosilicon precursor in the precursor feed, and/or by setting the electric power used for generating the plasma. In particular, a passivation layer or pH protective coating made by the method is provided. Pharmaceutical packages coated by the method and the use of such packages protecting a composition contained in the vessel against mechanical and/or chemical effects of the surface of the package without a passivation layer or pH protective coating material are also provided.

Abstract: The invention includes a spiral wound module comprising at least one membrane sheet wrapped about a permeate collection tube wherein the membrane sheet (14) comprises a plurality of capillary channels in parallel arrangement with each other and which are in fluid communication with the permeate collection tube (12). Many additional embodiments are disclosed along with methods for making and using the module and corresponding components.

Abstract: Methods for processing a vessel, for example to provide a gas barrier or lubricity, are disclosed. First and second PECVD or other vessel processing stations or devices and a vessel holder comprising a vessel port are provided. An opening of the vessel can be seated on the vessel port. The interior surface of the seated vessel can be processed via the vessel port by the first and second processing stations or devices. Vessel barrier, lubricity and hydrophobic coatings and coated vessels, for example syringes and medical sample collection tubes are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for coating a substrate surface such as a syringe part by PECVD is provided, the method comprising generating a plasma from a gaseous reactant comprising an organosilicon precursor and optionally an oxidizing gas by providing plasma-forming energy adjacent to the substrate, thus forming a coating on the substrate surface by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). The plasma-forming energy is applied in a first phase as a first pulse at a first energy level followed by further treatment in a second phase at a second energy level lower than the first energy level. The lubricity, hydrophobicity and/or barrier properties of the coating are set by setting the ratio of the O2 to the organosilicon precursor in the gaseous reactant, and/or by setting the electric power used for generating the plasma.

Abstract: Methods for processing a vessel, for example to provide a gas barrier or lubricity, are disclosed. First and second PECVD or other vessel processing stations or devices and a vessel holder comprising a vessel port are provided. An opening of the vessel can be seated on the vessel port. The interior surface of the seated vessel can be processed via the vessel port by the first and second processing stations or devices. Vessel barrier, lubricity and hydrophobic coatings and coated vessels, for example syringes and medical sample collection tubes are disclosed. A vessel processing system and vessel inspection apparatus and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A medical device comprising a wall, a coating of SiOx, and a piezochromic material is disclosed. The piezochromic material is associated with the wall, and changes its appearance when the wall is exposed to mechanical stress exceeding a threshold intensity. Also disclosed is a method of interrogating a closed medical device for processing damage, comprising at least the acts of providing a closed medical device and inspecting the medical device. The medical device is inspected from the exterior for a change in the appearance of at least some of its piezochromic material that is characteristic of exposure of the wall to mechanical stress exceeding a threshold intensity greater than zero. Optionally in any embodiment inspecting is carried out using a spectrophotometer to determine the change in the color of at least some of its piezochromic material.

Abstract: Methods for processing a vessel, for example to provide a gas barrier or lubricity, are disclosed. First and second PECVD or other vessel processing stations or devices and a vessel holder comprising a vessel port are provided. An opening of the vessel can be seated on the vessel port. The interior surface of the seated vessel can be processed via the vessel port by the first and second processing stations or devices. Vessel barrier, lubricity and hydrophobic coatings and coated vessels, for example syringes and medical sample collection tubes are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for processing a vessel, for example to provide a gas barrier or lubricity, are disclosed. First and second PECVD or other vessel processing stations or devices and a vessel holder comprising a vessel port are provided. An opening of the vessel can be seated on the vessel port. The interior surface of the seated vessel can be processed via the vessel port by the first and second processing stations or devices. Vessel barrier, lubricity and hydrophobic coatings and coated vessels, for example syringes and medical sample collection tubes are disclosed. A vessel processing system and vessel inspection apparatus and methods are also disclosed, for example using material outgassed from a surface to inspect the properties of a surface coating.

Abstract: A method is disclosed in which a vapor-deposited coating or layer is directly or indirectly applied to at least a portion of the internal wall of the barrel of a capped pre-assembly comprising a barrel, optionally a dispensing portion, and a cap. The cap is secured to the barrel and at least substantially isolates the distal opening of the dispensing portion from pressure conditions outside the cap. A vapor-deposited coating or layer is applied directly or indirectly to at least a portion of the internal wall of the barrel while the pre-assembly is capped. The coating or layer is applied under conditions effective to maintain communication from the barrel lumen to the exterior via the front opening, optionally further via the dispensing portion lumen if present, at the end of the applying step. The capped pre-assembly can be pressure tested easily and rapidly, for example with a test duration between 1 and 60 seconds, to determine whether it has container closure integrity.

Abstract: A package including a vessel made of cyclic olefin polymer (COP) resin, a CVD coating on a vessel, and a medicament comprising at least one protein, peptide, and/or DNA sequence is disclosed. Methods for processing a vessel, for example to provide lubricity or hydrophobicity, are also disclosed. The interior surface of the seated vessel can be processed via the vessel port by PECVD. Vessel barrier, lubricity and hydrophobic coatings and coated vessels, for example syringes and medical sample collection tubes are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention includes a spiral wound module comprising at least one membrane sheet wrapped about a permeate collection tube wherein the membrane sheet (14) comprises a plurality of capillary channels in parallel arrangement with each other and which are in fluid communication with the permeate collection tube (12). Many additional embodiments are disclosed along with methods for making and using the module and corresponding components.

Abstract: Methods for processing a vessel, for example to provide a gas barrier or lubricity, are disclosed. First and second PECVD or other vessel processing stations or devices and a vessel holder comprising a vessel port are provided. An opening of the vessel can be seated on the vessel port. The interior surface of the seated vessel can be processed via the vessel port by the first and second processing stations or devices. Vessel barrier, lubricity and hydrophobic coatings and coated vessels, for example syringes and medical sample collection tubes are disclosed. A vessel processing system and vessel inspection apparatus and methods are also disclosed, for example using material outgassed from a surface to inspect the properties of a surface coating.

Abstract: Methods for processing a vessel, for example to provide a gas barrier or lubricity, are disclosed. First and second PECVD or other vessel processing stations or devices and a vessel holder comprising a vessel port are provided. An opening of the vessel can be seated on the vessel port. The interior surface of the seated vessel can be processed via the vessel port by the first and second processing stations or devices. Vessel barrier, lubricity and hydrophobic coatings and coated vessels, for example syringes and medical sample collection tubes are disclosed. A vessel processing system and vessel inspection apparatus and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for processing a vessel, for example to provide a gas barrier or lubricity, are disclosed. First and second PECVD or other vessel processing stations or devices and a vessel holder comprising a vessel port are provided. An opening of the vessel can be seated on the vessel port. The interior surface of the seated vessel can be processed via the vessel port by the first and second processing stations or devices. Vessel barrier, lubricity and hydrophobic coatings and coated vessels, for example syringes and medical sample collection tubes are disclosed. A vessel processing system and vessel inspection apparatus and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A coated object, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the object is an amide containing polymer wherein at least a portion of a surface of the amide containing polymer has a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition exposed coating thereon. A method for making a coated object, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the object comprises an amide containing polymer, by the step of coating at least a portion of a surface of the polymer containing an amide group by a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition coating process to form a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition exposed coating thereon.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to absorbent polymer composition comprising A) one or more sulfonated substantially random interpolymers comprising repeating units derived from; a) ethylene and/or one or more alpha olefins; b) one or more sulfonated vinyl or vinylidene aromatic monomers; c) one or more vinyl or vinylidene aromatic monomers, or a combination of one or more vinyl or vinylidene aromatic monomers and one or more sterically hindered aliphatic or cycloaliphatic vinyl or vinylidene monomers; and optionally, B) one or more polymers other than said sulfonated substantially random interpolymer. Uses of the compositions include the preparation of absorbent foams, fibers films and membranes for the preparation of absorbent articles for personal hygiene. These include diapers, sanitary napkins adult incontinence pads, and highly absorbent wipes, and dust pickups.

Abstract: The present invention provides amphipathic graft copolymers which comprises a hydrophobic polymer portion to which is grafted at least one amphipathic polymer portion containing pH independent ionic groups. The amphipathic graft copolymers can be prepared employing a procedure which comprises polymerizing at least two hydrophobic monomers, wherein at least one of the monomers is a graftable monomer, and at least one hydrophilic monomer, including at least one anionic and/or cationic pH independent ionic monomer, or a post reactive non-ionic monomer that can be converted to a pH independent ionic derivative, in a reaction medium and recovering the thus prepared amphipathic graft copolymer. Stable, substantially non-aqueous solution compositions of said amphipathic graft copolymer containing less than 15 percent by weight water are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides amphipathic graft copolymers which comprises a hydrophobic polymer portion to which is grafted at least one amphipathic polymer portion containing pH independent ionic groups. The amphipathic graft copolymers can be prepared employing a procedure which comprises polymerizing at least two hydrophobic monomers, wherein at least one of the monomers is a graftable monomer, and at least one hydrophilic monomer, including at least one anionic and/or cationic pH independent ionic monomer, or a post reactive non-ionic monomer that can be converted to a pH independent ionic derivative, in a reaction medium and recovering the thus prepared amphipathic graft copolymer. Stable, substantially non-aqueous solution compositions of said amphipathic graft copolymer containing less than 15 percent by weight water are also provided.

Abstract: Optically-active, amphiphilic, free-radical addition copolymers having an optically-active hydrophobic portion and an ionic hydrophilic portion are effective resolving agents. This utility is based on a unique combination of properties, viz., water solubility, chirality and amphiphilicity, i.e., having a dual hydrophobic and hydrophilic nature.